it cannot be ascertained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it cannot be ascertained' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when the exact information is unknown or cannot be determined. For example: "The true date of the painting's creation is unknown; it cannot be ascertained."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

It cannot be ascertained in this proceeding whether or not 15percentnt.

Cornell University

It cannot be ascertained that that value was what he most regarded.

Harvard University

In the nature of things, it cannot be ascertained from the record whether the railroad company now exacts the rates complained of as being discriminatory and which it was the purpose of the suit to correct; but if it does, of course the power to question the legality of such rates by a suit in equity, brought like the one now here, clearly exists.

Cornell University

Presently, the oldest commonly agreed upon fossil microorganisms (it cannot be ascertained whether these organisms were archaebacteria, bacteria, or perhaps members of another no-longer-existent line of organism) are dated back to approximately 3.45 billion years ago (Schopf 1993).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

A spokesman for the Lancashire force said they "believe there was an investigation in the late 1960s, but as no records are now held, it cannot be ascertained whether a file was passed to the Director of Public Prosecutions".

BBC

The optimal size of herds has not been determined in the context of Soqotra's grazing resources and the frequency of the island's climatic vagaries (e.g. unpredictable rainfall and drought); therefore, it cannot be ascertained whether this figure exceeds the island's carrying capacity – if such a measure can be meaningfully established.

Pastoralism

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Although it cannot be ascertain, the enhanced expression of IL-10, IFNγ, TNFα and IL-1β transcripts in the prostate may reflect protein expression as all these cytokines are known to be up-regulated in immune cells during the course of HIV and SIV infection [74], [75].

Plosone

It cannot be ascertain whether alterations in expression levels of proteins described above are directly affecting muscle contraction, even if MYBP-C2 (myofibril - GO 0030016), which is a protein belonging to contractile apparatus, was found to be up-regulated in AQP4−/− mice.

Plosone

In addition, no potential neuroprotective therapy, such as TTM, was provided, so that its influence cannot be ascertained.

Critical Care

The assumption is that it was recovered in the 19th century, although where and when cannot be ascertained, nor is it clear why it was only published as late as 1972.

The New York Times - Arts

It is not known and cannot be ascertained whether or not "God" secures a religiously adequate referent.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it cannot be ascertained" in formal writing when emphasizing that information is definitively unobtainable or impossible to determine with the available resources or methods. It adds a tone of authority and finality to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "it cannot be ascertained" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "we don't know" or "it's not clear" are more appropriate for those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it cannot be ascertained" functions as a statement of epistemic uncertainty. It explicitly indicates that a particular fact or piece of information is impossible to determine with the available evidence or methods. The Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

57%

Academia

29%

News & Media

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it cannot be ascertained" is a formal expression used to indicate that something is impossible to determine with certainty. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and suitable for formal, scientific, and academic contexts, as shown by its frequent appearance in scientific publications and academic texts. While alternatives like "it is impossible to determine" exist, "it cannot be ascertained" carries a particular weight, emphasizing the definitive lack of obtainable information. When writing, reserve this phrase for situations where you want to highlight the impossibility of finding an answer, while avoiding it in casual speech to maintain an appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is impossible to determine

Emphasizes the impossibility of finding something out.

it remains unknown

Highlights the continuing lack of knowledge about something.

the answer is not clear

Focuses on the lack of a clear answer or resolution.

it is not possible to know

States the inability to obtain knowledge about something.

there is no way to find out

Indicates the absence of a method for discovering something.

the truth is elusive

Suggests that the truth is difficult to grasp or define.

it's difficult to say

Implies uncertainty and a lack of definitive information.

we cannot be sure

Expresses doubt and the lack of certainty about something.

it is uncertain

Highlights the condition of being not known or definite.

it is not definitively known

Underscores the absence of definitive knowledge or proof.

FAQs

What does "it cannot be ascertained" mean?

The phrase "it cannot be ascertained" means that something is impossible to determine or discover with certainty. It suggests that the information is unavailable or unobtainable through any known means.

When is it appropriate to use "it cannot be ascertained" in writing?

Use "it cannot be ascertained" in formal writing, research papers, or legal documents when you need to emphasize the impossibility of determining a fact or outcome. It is more suitable for formal contexts than casual conversations.

What are some alternative phrases to "it cannot be ascertained"?

Some alternatives include "it is impossible to determine", "it remains unknown", or "the answer is not clear". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How does using "it cannot be ascertained" affect the tone of a sentence?

Using "it cannot be ascertained" adds a formal and authoritative tone to a sentence. It emphasizes the definitive lack of information, making the statement sound more conclusive and less open to speculation.